CUPERTINO, Calif. – In what could serve as a summary of Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy’s first half of the 2014-15 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season, RSL-AZ U-17/18 romped their way to a dominant 5-1 win while the U-15/16 squad came away disappointed with only a scoreless draw against the De Anza Force on Sunday.

De Anza Force 1-5 Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy U-17/18

RSL-AZ U-17/18 dominated their opposition from the opening whistle in this cross-division game, holding the vast majority of possession and toying with the Force in a scoreless first half.

In the 53rd minute, De Anza’s Keanu Mendoza snatched a goal against the run of play, grabbing the 1-0 lead from the Claret-and-Cobalt. From that moment on, the RSL-AZ 18s refused to back down.

Only one minute later, Jose Hernandez scored with a clinical finish to level the game at one goal each. In the 65th minute, Tate Schmitt netted a goal of his own on a deflected shot to grab the lead, followed by Hernandez’s second of the game less than a minute after that.

In the 84th minute, Paul Bin scored on another deflection to extend the lead to three goals, while Hernandez finished off his hat trick in the 85th to secure the dominant 5-1 win.

De Anza Force 0-0 Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy U-15/16

In the final game of 2014 for RSL-AZ U-15/16, some of the issues the team has faced over the first half of the year resurfaced. Despite a great showing from goalkeeper David Preys in shutting out the De Anza attack and holding on for the clean sheet, the Claret-and-Cobalt attack failed to net any goals of their own.

Despite creating numerous scoring chances from the run of play, RSL-AZ U-15/16 failed to put any of them into the back of the net, being forced to settle for a road draw and regroup for the busy 2015 USSDA schedule.

The Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy players and coaches now head home for a well-deserved Winter break before returning to Grande Sports World in January for a home stand that begins on Saturday, January 17 against Development Academy newcomers Juventus Sport Club.

GDPR